Mary-Lynnette Carter and Ash Redfern meet one another in the Night World book Daughters of Darkness. Theirs is an instant soulmate connection. They donít seem to like each
other and yet they are drawn to one another. Some have criticized this
relationship by claiming that Ash and Mary-Lynnette didnít get along and therefore
do not make a good couple. I believe that they are not looking hard
enough at the book. It hits me that Ash and Mary-Lynnette fight the relationship
not because they dislike each other so much but because neither of them
enjoys not being in control. They are both independent people and donít
like the idea of being forced together. In the end though, they come together
in the realization that they cannot fight it. Itís destiny.

Now, although I believe in destiny, if you were to just leave it at that youíd have
a very poor basis for a relationship. Luckily L.J. Smith seems to realize
this and thereís more to Ash and Mary-Lynnetteís relationship than some may
notice.

First of all, Mary-Lynnetteís reason for needing Ash in her life. Mary-Lynnette
is a big astronomy fan and in the beginning of Daughters of Darkness Mary-Lynnette wishes for someone to understand the night with her. In Ash she
finds this. Until Ash, Mary-Lynnette never had a relationship. It
seems to me that not only was one of the reasons for this the inability of most
people to understand her interests (Jeremy was the only person who ever seemed
to have an interest in the sky when he watched the eclipse with her) but also
most people it seems wouldn' t have strong enough personalities to match with
her. In Ash Mary-Lynnette finds an equal. Mary-Lynnette and Ash can
meet each other at every turn, each ready to give back what the other dishes
out. This will make for a great partnership in the future.
As for Ashís point of view, before he
met Mary-Lynnette it seemed he was floundering a bit. He didnít have much
of a direction in life and basically did as he pleased. He was extremely
self-assured since most people were too afraid to call him on things, not being
able to see beneath the tough exterior. Mary-Lynnette brought Ash back
down from this high and mighty attitude. Sheís the one person who isnít afraid
to tell him when heís acting like a jerk. She stands up and helps to
keep him in line. She helps him to find direction as well when he leaves
to put things right before returning.

Different kinds of people need different kinds of relationships.
In Ash and Mary-Lynnette's case they are looking for equals. Neither of
them is the type to be in a relationship where they always have to be the independant
one. Both of them would be too frustrated with this kind of situation
for it to last long. For them itís a matter of equals and Ash and Mary-Lynnette
are perfectly matched.